Juri Ueda

My name is Juri Ueda (a.k.a. Juriu.)

I am a freelance artist in Osaka, Japan.

I have received my BFA in Traditional Illustration from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 2005, and started painting watercolor girls in the spring of 2007.

Since then, I have exhibited in a small solo show, as well as in some group shows and art events in my local area occasionally, but the main show space for my work has been on the internet.

My work is influenced the most by fairy tales, and some shoujo manga, both of which I grew up with.

My inspiration usually comes from nature, like textures and colors in flowers, the water and the sky, that often reminds me of my own experiences or the people I used to know in the past. In each image, I tell fractions of very personal and emotional stories that live in my mind.

The response I get the most about my work is that it is sweet.

I am painting for the next group show, which will happen in Los Angeles in April.

Painting is important to me because it is the only way I can communicate with true honesty.

Also, because nothing else makes me feel better than it does.

A smile. Some warm and fuzzy feelings. Nostalgia. A little bit of Melancholy.

I hope my work finds any emotional connections with the people who see it.

I spend most of my time daydreaming, then I would draw, make colors and paint.

Everything that has happened, and will happen this year. 2008 is the first year in the U.S. galleries for my watercolor girls.

At the moment, I only use watercolor.

I love the simplicity of it.

The one and only Mark Rothko.

A poetry picture book.

Possibly without words.

I listen to whatever that rocks.

Satie and Bach are my all time favorites. I also love the band Tool. Lately I have been listening to Esthing and Sakanaction a lot.

My only priority is to be able to paint, all the time.

My goal is to keep following the path that I create.

visit Juri Ueda online at http://www.juriueda.com

Available artwork to purchase from Compound Gallery